- a folding knife for outdoor life
Camillus or Camillus Brand as they are now called is the name of one of America's oldest knife brands. They were founded back in 1876. Then the company existed in the highest prosperity for many years until it didn't and went bankrupt under stormy circumstances in 2007. However, the company was quickly reconstructed and has remained on the market with other owners.
Now they are making a new investment and this means that they have released a long line of news, both folding knives, and fixed blades. The knife to be reviewed today is part of that venture and is called the Bushcrafter 8.5".
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| Camillus Bushcrafter 8,5" |
When this knife was presented here on the blog, I wrote that Camillus seemed to believe in the model. The background to that statement was that right from the start it was available in two sizes and as a fixed blade. Somewhat confusingly, however, is that the latter does not resemble the folding knives except in name. They apparently believe that the common field of use is enough to group them.
Of the folding knives, the smaller one measures 6.75 inches in length, which is just over seventeen centimeters. This larger version is 21.5 cm long or 8.5 inches. Something that the name more than suggests.
Twitter version: Camillus Bushcrafter, a sturdy folding knife with excellent ergonomics for those looking for a folding alternative to a Morakaniv.
Blade
If you are to make a knife and name it "Bushcrafter", certain things are obligate. One such is the blade shape. Camillus has not been careless regarding that and thus we are met by a sturdy drop point blade.
The length is 89 mm depending on how it is measured and the height is 30 mm. The thickness is 3 mm or just below. The finish is a nice satin and the markings are quite discreet. Camillus and "titanium" can be read on the presentation page and on the other "Sandvik 12C27" is found on the ricasso.
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| A sturdy but fairly thin drop-point blade |
The steel used is also according to the template and hardly unknown to anyone who has handled a Mora knife or two over the years. It is Swedish in the form of Sandvik 12C27, which was for a long time the dominant component in red from Dalarna. It was good then and it's just as good here. Of course, there are modern and more exclusive steels, but if you are to choose stainless steel for this application, it is not at all a bad choice to use proven steel that most people know how to handle in terms of hardening and heat treatment.
The blade has been given a saber grind in classic fashion. Here, however, they didn't manage to stay on the course so we don't find a "Scandi grind" or zero grind on this knife. Bushcrafter has a clear division into the primary and secondary edges. Besides, they have not chosen a flat grind, which is by far the most common in this context but invested in a substantial hollow grind. In addition to making the knife more difficult to photograph, the edge also bites well into wood.
The factory edge is decent in that it arrived very sharp. However, it is affected by the fact that the edge has a subtle recurve right from the start, thanks to the "plunge line" extending too far out.* Then the edge capsizes a little towards the belly, but it is not too bad. Especially not compared to the Chinese-made Camillus knives I previously discussed in slightly different contexts.
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| The blade, made of 12C27, is a hollow grind |
Working with this knife is really nice. In addition to the fact that the edge was quite sharp straight out of the box, the knife blade is also thin behind the edge, which means that the sharpness is managed well. This applies when it comes to processing materials such as cardboard and plastic of different dimensions, for example. But that's not where this knife excels. It is a robust knife and the things I want to cut with this are rope and tamp in various dimensions and above all wood, both fresh and dry.
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| The blade bites well into wood and is easily controlled |
Sympathetic is that the knife lives up to expectations. It's actually one of the better folding knives I've used to carve with. Much of that positive feeling can be attributed to the handle, but the blade also contributes. Having grown up with a Morakniv in hand, one can be a little skeptical about a hollow grind, but the fact is that in this case it is easily controlled. It is no problem to make a "feather stick" or to carve patterns in the bark. Nor does the edge show any tendency to bend or chip even when working in dry, hardwood. Any "batoning" that they mention in their sales texts, however, I would not want to engage in either this or most other folding knives. Then both lock and edge will blow to smithereens.
But as long as you skip that task, the Bushcrafter is a really nice knife to use. It also applies to cutting ropes. Nylon rope with a bit of sand takes its toll on an edge but in return, the 12C27 steel responds quickly to a sharpening stone. It's a nice feature of a knife that's expected to do some work. I'd almost rather take it than extreme edge holding if it means that the knife is harder to maintain.
Handle
Extra important on a folding knife aimed at outdoor use is, of course, the construction and design of the handle. Here, comfort and ergonomics should be prioritized over ease of carrying, in contrast to EDC knives. Both are of course preferable, but if compromises must be made, one or the other characteristics can be allowed to dominate.
Here, Camillus has chosen to stick to ergonomics. It is mainly noticeable in the size. The dimensions are well proportioned with a length of 12.8 cm and a height that varies from 2.6 cm to 3 cm at most. But above all, it is the thickness that is pronounced. Bushcrater measures almost 15mm across the back. Those measurements are enough to fill most hands.
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| The dimensions of the handle should be enough for most hand sizes |
The handle is characterized by a couple of distinct choices. One is the combination of a pronounced finger guard and a substantial finger groove. It provides both protection and a good grip. To further increase the grip, the handle ends with a small "beak" in the same way that Scandinavian knives often do. It simply stops the hand from sliding backward when cutting.
The other thing that is clearly visible is the handle material. A pair of sturdy sides of brown micarta is what was used. However, the micarta is very smooth so it does not provide particularly good traction. But in return, the shape of the handle is enough to take care of that part.
The back is closed due to the lock mechanism. It is also preferable on a knife for bushcraft as it provides more surface area for the hand. Folding knives are still at a disadvantage compared to fixed blades because of the slot where the blade resides. They do not need more openings that spoil the ergonomics.
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| The back lock means that the back is not open, which is a big advantage of this type of knife |
The sides are screwed into place on the outside of the frame with three small T6 screws in addition to the pivot screw. The latter has a T8 head and is of course adjustable. On this knife, Camillus has ignored a lanyard hole, which I think is good. I simply don't see a reason to add one. Possibly with the exception of if you are going to use the knife when you are near large bodies of water. But then you can put a line around the clip instead and in that way anchor the knife to your person.
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| Although the Buschrafter is a large knife, it is reasonably well-balanced but a tad butt heavy |
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| All common grips work |
Bushcrafter is most comfortable in a firm hammer grip. The handle is full and long enough for all fingers to fit. Then this handle works in all grips including a reverse to carve towards the body but also in saber grip with a thumb on the back of the blade. If the latter is to be used a lot, I recommend, however, that you round the spine a little. It is quite angular from the start. Something which, however, is not an oversight but to be able to turn the blade and use it as a scraper.
Opening and Lock
The thumb studs on the Bushcrafter are not only a good choice but also well-made. This primarily refers to their placement. There are two criteria that must be met in order to be approved by me. The first is about how easy they are to reach with the thumb and how smooth it is to open the blade. This is facilitated by the blade's width and the way the handle is designed. This means that the thumb studs sit far out from the sides of the handle, which makes them easy to "find" with the thumb. This also applies if you wear gloves, by the way.
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| The thumb studs are easy to use |
The second is about them not being in the way when cutting things. In that respect, they should be found as close to the handle as possible. In this case, it is somewhat counteracted by the shape of the grip. Namely, the studs have to come free from the finger guard on the way out, whereupon they end up a little further out on the blade when the knife is open.
The simple shape and rounded top are otherwise exemplary and easy to handle.
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| Bushcrafter uses a back lock |
The lock is a back lock, as it should be, I almost wrote. But when talking about sturdier folding knives, it is a lock type that dominates. Possibly it is a legacy from older folding knives** but is also used because it is a solid solution both in the basic design and more modern interpretations***.
This version is solid. The locking force is sufficient for the knife to be safe and at the same time not extremely difficult to close. There is no lateral play, and if it occurs, it can be adjusted. As with almost all back locks, you can feel a slight tendency to play upside down if you grab the tip and provoke hard. But in this case, Camillus has succeeded well as that feeling is very weak.
To Carry
As always, when you invest in a really comfortable handle on a folding knife, they become somewhat less flexible in the pocket. It is of course the length and above all the thickness of the handle that plays a role. Then of course the weight is also important.
That said, the Bushcrafter isn't terribly awkward to carry in your pocket. The weight is noticeable but not a deterrent in the context given that it is a substantial knife. But certainly, the 176 grams remind you that you carry a knife in your pocket.
However, it is mainly the thickness of 1.5 cm that is noticeable. There is quite a bit of volume that must be stored, simply put.
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| The clip is unusually small but functional |
However, there are factors that favor this knife when it comes to portability. The smooth and fairly polished sides are one such. They do not cause friction against the fabric and therefore do not have a negative effect when the knife has to be pulled or tucked away.
Another advantage this knife has is that it has been ensured that the entire blade is "hidden" when the knife is folded. There are no sharp heels that stick out and similarly, the thumb studs are not too long. Details that make the knife more streamlined in the pocket, even if in this case it is more about a fur seal than a snake if an analogy to the animal world is to be made.
The clip is made of steel and of more or less deep ride type. Not much of the knife is visible when tucked into a pocket. In this case, the main benefit gained from it is that it is harder to drop when out in the woods.
The finish is polished and in the clip, Camillus's logo is found in the form of a knife punched out. It is in that opening that you can attach a line if you are using the knife near the large waters I spoke of earlier.
About the clip, it can otherwise be said that it offers fairly high tension and that it is small with a good ramp, even if it could be somewhat higher in this case. This particular knife I imagine you also want to carry in a jacket pocket and then the fabric is usually thicker than in trouser pockets.
Then I'm happy about how little it feels against the hand when working with the knife. It's generally one of my pet peeves but in a heavy-duty folding knife like this, it's even more important.
To Conclude
This knife was named "Bushcrafter" and it is a name that gives rise to certain expectations. I think that it should then be suitable for camping, hiking, hunting and fishing, and other outdoor activities. Camillus obviously does as well, as the sales text says that the knife is perfect for "/../carving, batoning, and chopping /../" I don't want to go that far. Hitting a folding knife whose blade lacks a stop pin for the purpose of splitting wood will destroy it. The lock does not hold up to that treatment simply because the lock arm is subjected to forces they are not intended for. And to chop with a knife with a small blade and with this weight, I don't see the point. It's something you do with a sturdy-bladed knife if you refuse to use an axe.
But if we disregard bad sales texts and instead consider the knife itself, it is exactly what it claims to be. A relatively large but above all sturdy folding knife that is excellent for the areas of use listed above.
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| Where Bushcrafter does best, in hand out in the forest |
Starting from a solid steel frame and thick sides of Micarta and combining it with a solid back lock is a good concept in this context. Especially as the handle is heavily shaped with sides that are certainly flat but have a substantial finger guard, a finger recess, and a "beak". In this way, Camillus has created a very ergonomic handle.
Then they followed the formula that gives a traditional "bushcraft" blade. A drop point with a slightly higher profile with a saber ground. However, I am happy that they departed from tradition somewhat by making the blade in stainless steel. D2 is popular these days but I don't feel it has any advantages over 12C27 that outweigh the tendency to rust.
If something negative is to be said, it is that the knife can be perceived as somewhat clumsy. A large part of the explanation for that can be attributed to the large handle, which brings with it both advantages and disadvantages. It also means that the balance is not completely neutral, but makes the Bushcrafter somewhat rear-heavy. The weight also contributes to that impression.
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| Camillus Bushcrafter 8,5" is a solid folding knife for mixed outdoor life |
Overall, this, my first extended encounter with a Camillus knife, was a pleasant one. Bushcrafter 8.5" lives up to its name and does exactly what I hoped for. In addition, it can be said that it is not a knife that makes the wallet cry. At the time of writing, it costs around $69 on Amazon and just under €100 in Europe.
For that, you get a strong and competent folding knife in well-selected materials made in the USA. A very viable candidate for those who want an outdoor knife in a foldable format.
Specifications:
Length Overall: 216 mm
Length Folded: 128 mm
Weight: 176 g
Blade Length: 89 mm
Blade Thickness: mm
Blade Steel: Sandvik 12C27
Handle: Micarta on a steel frame
Lock: Lock back
Produced by: Camillus, made in the USA
/ J
* But here it should be pointed out that this is a US-made Camillus and that they are significantly better sharpened than the Chinese-made knives I have experienced and previously written about.
** Then I think of the oldest sales success with that lock, the Mercator K55K but also the American classic Buck 110 and not least the Swedish EKA Swede 92.
*** Like, for example, Cold Steel's Triad-Lock
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